How to Care for Your Induction Cooktop

Induction cooktops — sleek, polished, and a symbol of modern kitchen style. So attractive, you may hesitate to use them. (Almost.)

But with use, spills and splatters are inevitable, which can cause some concern about cleaning. Will the cooktop maintain its original shine over time, or will it lose its luster after the protective film comes off? Fortunately, without any gaps or crevices beneath the burners to trap crumbs or stains, you'll want to learn the best way to clean it early on.

How It Works

Induction cooktops are crafted from smooth, nonporous ceramic glass and use electromagnetic energy to directly heat compatible cookware. The surface cools quickly compared to traditional cooktops, and its flat design makes cleaning a breeze with no hidden corners or grooves. Additionally, because the pan heats up instead of the cooktop, the surrounding area stays cool, preventing food from burning onto the surface. These features make induction cooktops the easiest to maintain. However, it's always best to clean them promptly, before spills have a chance to set.

While it's always ideal to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for your specific cooktop, here are some general "dos" and "don'ts" for cleaning your induction cooktop, whether it's a full-sized model or a portable induction cooktop.

Do

To clean your induction cooktop, you can use simple dish soap, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda, or specialized cleaners such as Affresh Cooktop Cleaner or Cerama Bryte. Some brands, like Bosch, even offer their own branded cooktop cleaners. Personally, I prefer the vinegar and baking soda method, but whatever cleaner you choose, make sure to have at least two soft cloths or microfiber towels on hand for wiping.

Although scraping off stubborn food shouldn’t be a regular necessity, some manufacturers provide specialized scraping tools for this purpose. Brands like Whirlpool and Kitchenaid offer these tools if you feel more comfortable using one.

Don't

Abrasive pads like rough sponges or steel wool should be avoided at all costs, as they can easily scratch the surface of your cooktop. Harsh powdered cleaners, chlorine bleach, rust removers, or any products containing ammonia must also be kept away. The last thing you want on your sleek cooktop are scratches or stubborn white marks.

How to Maintain an Induction Cooktop

1. Scrape

If there are any stubborn, burned-on bits, carefully scrape them off using an approved tool. Make sure the scraper is flat and parallel to the surface to avoid causing scratches. This step should be done while the cooktop is warm (but not hot), while the rest of the cleaning process requires the surface to be cool. Many cooktops feature an indicator light to show when the surface is still hot.

2. Clean

Once the cooktop has cooled down, spray the surface with vinegar, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes. Then, sprinkle baking soda over the vinegar-coated areas. Afterward, soak a microfiber towel or soft cloth in hot water, wring it out, and place it over the baking soda. Alternatively, you can apply a cleaner approved for induction cooktops and let it sit for 10 minutes.

3. Polish

Using the cloth placed over the baking soda, gently rub the surface in small, circular motions. Rinse and wring out the cloth, then wipe away the remaining baking soda and vinegar. If you're using a cleaner, wipe it away with a soft cloth. Finally, no matter which method you used, buff the surface with a dry cloth, again using small, circular motions.

4. Repeat

If needed, go through the process once more to achieve a pristine finish.

Special Tips

For tough water stains or white marks, dampen a clean cloth with white vinegar and apply it directly to the affected areas. Let it sit for a few minutes, then gently rub away the stains. Follow up with a second clean cloth and either a designated cleaner or just distilled water to rinse the surface.

Buffing and polishing in circular motions should leave your cooktop streak-free and gleaming. If you'd like an extra shine, you can use a glass cleaner like Method. Just make sure the cleaner doesn't contain ammonia, as it could damage the finish over time.